Bernardo Fire Forces Evacuations, Threatens Homes In Rancho Bernardo

SAN DIEGO, CA — A brush fire forced evacuations, threatened homes and injured at least one person Wednesday morning in the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego.

The blaze, officially called the Center Fire, was reported shortly before 9 a.m. at Bernardo Center Drive and Camino del Norte, near Interstate 15, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

Crews aboard water-dropping helicopters and multiple fire engines worked to extinguish the flames. As of 10:43 a.m. Wednesday, the fire had burned four acres and was 0% contained, according to Cal Fire San Diego.

The fire, which was also known as the Bernardo Fire, had the potential to spread to 100 acres, officials said.

Roughly 175 firefighters were on the scene from multiple agencies, including Cal Fire, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District and San Marcos Fire Protection District. Hand crews were working to cut a line around the fire, while other crews were staged to protect homes. Crews stopped forward progress of the flames around 11 a.m. The fire scorched a total of seven acres.

One person suffered burn injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

"Structures are threatened," the department said on social media shortly after the blaze broke out. "Evacuations imminent."

Evacuation Orders and Warnings

The San Diego Police Department issued evacuation orders and warnings for the surrounding areas.

"If you are told to leave, do so immediately," officials said.

Evacuation orders were issued for the following zones: SDC-1219, SDC-1220, SDC-1299. Evacuation warnings were issued for the following zones: SDC-1215, SDC-1217, SDC-1297. See an interactive map here.

As of 12:30 p.m., all evacuation orders and warnings were lifted except zone SDC-1220. By 3:15 p.m., all evacuation orders and warnings were lifted.

"A fast response by air units helped quickly contain the Center Fire," the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said. "Homes were threatened. Most evacuation orders lifted. Crews will be in the area through the afternoon/evening."

• Also see: San Diego Fire: See Bernardo Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Areas

Rolling Hills Elementary School was evacuated to Poway High School. Details of reunification was sent directly to families and was posted on Poway Unified School District's website. All other schools in the district were operating on their regular dismissal schedules.

"We are monitoring the situation and are in contact with the impacted school sites and their families," the district said on social media. "Emergency responders are on scene."

Rancho Bernardo KinderCare was among the buildings evacuated. Children were moved to 11203 Paseo Montanoso, police said. Parents can access the area to pick up their children at the corner of Camino del Norte and Paseo Montanoso.

Evacuation Shelters

A temporary evacuation point was established at the At Home parking lot at 12080 Carmel Mountain Road in San Diego.

Road Closures

Authorities closed I-15 at Camino Del Norte, Bernardo Center and Camino Del Norte, and Paseo Montanoso at Avenida De Los Lobos and Camino Del Norte.

The northbound and southbound I-15 off-ramps to Camino del Norte were closed due to firefighting activity, according to Caltrans.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.